Air Ambulance charity calls for companies to support Rose of Tralee Raffle

Air Ambulance charity calls for companies to support Rose of Tralee Raffle

A charity which is bringing the first community Air Ambulance to Ireland later this year is calling for companies to support a raffle it is hosting at next week’s Rose

A charity which is bringing the first community Air Ambulance to Ireland later this year is calling for companies to support a raffle it is hosting at next week’s Rose of Tralee festival.

Irish Community Rapid Response (ICRR) is a charity dedicated to delivering pre-hospital care to people in serious life-threatening emergencies through volunteer medical professionals across Ireland.

ICRR is delighted to be holding a fundraising raffle in the Rose Dome during the first televised night of this year’s Rose of Tralee Festival on Monday 20th August 2018.

ICRR CEO John Kearney said today that this presents a great opportunity for ICRR – and attractive raffle prizes from companies and individuals are sought before August 20th.

“Any company, business or individual who would like to support ICRR’s Rose festival fundraising raffle, please don’t hesitate to make contact for more information.

“One of the main prizes will be a trip on board Ireland’s first community Air Ambulance, which we are funding, and will be propelling its way to Ireland this Autumn. The helicopter will be based in Munster and will bring a 10,000 square mile area within 20 minutes of critical care.

“Since 2008, ICRR has developed a network of over 200 land-based volunteer doctorsthroughout Ireland who can be called on to deliver critical medical interventions which prevent serious injury or death.

“It is hoped that €2 million can be raised per annum to fund the new Air Ambulance service. The people of Ireland have sustained our land based rapid response Volunteer Doctors over 10 years and now we’re calling on the public to support this new life saving air service,” he said.

The Air Ambulance is a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) which will be tasked through the 999 / 112 call system operated by the National Ambulance Service at its National Emergency Operations Centre and is being supported by the HSE and Department of Health.

The Air Ambulance service will mirror successful models across the UK and continental Europe where geographically challenging terrain warrants an air response. It will complement existing emergency services including the Athlone based Emergency Aeromedical Service operated by the National Ambulance Service and Irish Air Corps.

The preventable loss of a child’s life in West Cork in 2006 was the catalyst that led to the formation of Irish Community Rapid Response (ICRR). Galvanised by the tragedy, community members embarked on a mission: to expedite the delivery of professional life saving care to life-threatening emergencies in rural or disadvantaged urban areas.

Your donation means everything to us. With your help, our Volunteer Doctors and Air Ambulance medics can save more lives, and you can keep us flying further and for longer with your ICRR Air Ambulance!